CN110036656B - ESIM profile switching without SMS - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method for enabling eSIM profile switching without SMS channel support. According to at least one example embodiment, in a system in which a device has an eSIM that includes a first profile and a second profile, the device switches from attaching to a first network using the first profile to attaching to a second network using the second profile, the second network being connected to a third network through a data tunnel. One method comprises the following steps: extracting, at a policy control device in a third network, information communicated over the data tunnel, the information associated with the eSIM; and sending at least a portion of the extracted information to an application server. The extracted information includes location information associated with the eSIM. Transmitting the extracted information serves to inform the application server that the eSIM has switched to the second profile.

Description

ESIM profile switching without SMS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/479,093, filed on 30/3/2017. The entire teachings of the above application are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Wireless communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile communication systems (also known as Evolved Packet System (EPS) or fourth generation (4G) systems), global system for mobile communications (GSM), or wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) mobile communication systems, typically enable roaming services. Network operators of such wireless communication systems provide roaming services to their subscribers, thus allowing subscribers to remain connected even as they traverse different regions or countries.

The mobile device is configured to receive and operate a replaceable Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) that enables the mobile device to access services provided by a Mobile Network Operator (MNO). Typically, each UICC includes at least a microprocessor and a Read Only Memory (ROM), wherein the ROM is configured to store one or more applets and authentication data that the mobile device uses to register with an MNO and interact with the MNO. Typically, the UICC takes the form of a small replaceable card, e.g., a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, which is configured to store a single MNO profile and is inserted into the UICC receiving portion of the mobile device. Recently, the UICC is directly embedded in the system board of the mobile device and is configured to store multiple MNO profiles, which are referred to as embedded SIMs (esims). For example, an embedded UICC (eUICC) may store one SIM profile for local MNOs and another SIM profile for international MNOs.

Disclosure of Invention

The GSM association (GSMA) has developed a "remote provisioning architecture for embedded UICC technical specifications," version 2.1 (11/1/2015) (referred to herein as the "GSMA eSIM specification"), which describes remote provisioning and management for euiccs in machine-to-machine (M2M) devices that are not readily accessible. The GSMA eSIM specification addresses this limitation by enabling a remote SIM provisioning system that dynamically downloads a new SIM profile into an eSIM card where it can switch to another MNO using the newly downloaded SIM profile as if another new SIM card was inserted.

The device may need to switch SIM profiles for a variety of reasons, such as to a local MNO for better data performance, or remain permanently in a country where the local eSIM profile is enforced according to rules. Since M2M devices typically operate as designed without user interaction, replacing one SIM card with another local SIM card to change MNO is no longer applicable. The GSMA eSIM specification addresses this limitation by a remote SIM provisioning system that dynamically downloads a new SIM profile into an eSIM card where it can switch to another MNO using the newly downloaded SIM profile as if another new SIM card was inserted.

Such downloading of the SIM profile and switching to another MNO with the newly downloaded profile typically relies on sending a message from a remote SIM provisioning platform (RSP) to the target eSIM card over a Short Message Service (SMS) protocol via the current SIM profile of the target eSIM card and a currently attached cellular network (e.g., a GSM, 3G, or LTE network). Upon receiving a command from the RSP via SMS, the eSIM card may perform some actions in accordance with the GSMA eSIM specification, such as downloading a new SIM profile, switching to another SIM profile, disabling/deleting one of the downloaded profiles, etc. Once the action is performed, the eSIM card sends an acknowledgement to the RSP over the SMS over the device regarding the action taken. For example, after switching to another profile and the device attaches to a new cellular network with the new profile, the eSIM typically sends a confirmation message from the new network to the RSP via SMS, with the status of the previous action updated.

The problem arises when the SIM profile and/or the new mobile network do not provide SMS delivery capability. In the above example, without SMS, the acknowledgement message cannot be delivered to the RSP using the newly attached network. Thus, the eSIM may consider with the RSP that the handover command has failed and trigger a fallback mechanism defined in the specification, causing the eSIM to fall back to the previous profile and network. This hampers the intent to use the new profile for a number of reasons. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to solving the above-mentioned problems caused by a SIM profile and/or a mobile network lacking SMS support.

In one aspect, a method and system provide for obtaining eSIM device location information using a network approach, wherein an eSIM with a new profile is attached to a P-GW hosted by a third party. A data checking module (e.g., a policy control device or a feature of the P-GW) accesses data transmitted between the eSIM and the P-GW to extract eSIM device location information, such as MNC/MCC, IMSI, cellID, etc. The extracted location information is forwarded to an application server, where it can access the RSP for controlling the eSIM card.

According to at least one example embodiment, the present disclosure may be implemented in the form of a method or corresponding apparatus in which a device has an eSIM that includes a first profile and a second profile. The device may switch from attaching to the first network using the first profile to attaching to a second network using a second profile, the second network being connected to a third network through a data tunnel. In some embodiments, a data inspection module (e.g., a policy control device, a P-GW, or any other device known in the art for inspecting data payloads) can be configured to extract information communicated over the data tunnel, the information associated with the eSIM. In some embodiments, the data inspection module may send at least a portion of the extracted information to the application server.

According to some embodiments, the data tunnel may be a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel. In some embodiments, the extracted information can include location information associated with the eSIM. Further, the location information may include a Mobile Country Code (MCC), referred to as a combination of "MCC/MNC tuples," combined with a Mobile Network Code (MNC) to uniquely identify a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) using GSM (including GSM-R), UMTS, and/or LTE public land mobile networks. Still further, the location information may also include an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) or CellID to identify the user of the mobile device and/or MNO.

According to some embodiments, the data checking module may send at least a portion of the extracted information to serve as a notification to the application server that the eSIM has switched to the second profile. In some embodiments, the second network lacks short message service capability.

Drawings

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a signaling flow diagram illustrating a typical profile switching procedure between two networks based on the SMS protocol utilized in the two networks.

Fig. 2 is a signaling flow diagram illustrating a profile switching procedure between two networks in which the second network does not have SMS support.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a network topology for collecting location information after an eSIM is attached to a second network without SMS support, according to at least one example embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a network topology for collecting location information through roaming access after attaching an eSIM to a second network without SMS support, according to at least one example embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps for extracting location information associated with an eSIM device attached to a second network without SMS support, according to at least one example embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for disconnecting a mobile device having an eSIM from a mobile network without SMS channel support.

Detailed Description

The following is a description of example embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a signaling flow diagram illustrating a typical profile switching procedure between two networks based on the SMS protocol utilized in the two networks. Specifically, the configuration includes a mobile device 101 having an eSIM 110, two networks (MNO a 120, MNO B130), a remote SIM provisioning platform (RSP) 140, and a business logic Application Server (AS) 150, the eSIM 110 having two previously downloaded profiles (profile a, profile B). Typically, an applet (e.g., a status update applet) within eSIM card 110 sends network location information associated with mobile device 101 and other device-related information to RSP 140 via an SMS message through MNO a 120 (steps 1, 2), wherein the SMS message may be delivered to external AS 150 (step 3) to satisfy various requirements of each business logic. The AS 150 can request the RSP 140 to take one or more actions on the eSIM 110 via an Application Programming Interface (API) or system integration with the RSP 140 (steps 5, 6, 7).

For example, the AS 150 may issue a "switch to profile B" command based on the traffic logic (e.g., profile B in the location has better network performance or is cost-effective) to instruct the eSIM 110 to switch to profile B and access the MNO B130 cellular network. For example, the AS 150 may be configured with switching logic AS described in application Ser. No. 15/634,692 entitled "Internet of Things Architecture" filed on 27.6.2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

As shown in fig. 1 and in accordance with the GSMA eSIM specification, eSIM 110 takes a series of steps to attach to an MNO B network 130 having a profile B (typically belonging to MNO B130). Once attached, eSIM 110 sends an acknowledgement message to RSP 140 via the SMS channel, wherein the handover command is deemed completed, and a similar acknowledgement is sent to the requesting AS 150 (steps 8, 9, 10, 11). SMS channels from both the MNO a 120 and the MNO B130 are required to facilitate handshaking between the eSIM 110 and the RSP 140 to synchronize actions initiated by the RSP 140.

Fig. 2 is a signaling flow diagram illustrating a profile switching procedure between two networks in which the second network does not have SMS channel support. In this embodiment, the RSP 140 does not expect a direct acknowledgement from the eSIM 110 when instructing eSIM 110 to switch to profile B to cause the mobile device 101 to detach from MNO a 120 and attach to MNO B230 (which does not support SMS). The switch command transmitted from RSP 140 to eSIM 110 contains information for notifying eSIM 110 of a simple switch without sending back any state (steps 6, 7). Thus, once the eSIM has switched to profile B, the mobile device 101 stays on the MNO B network 230 without sending any SMS message. In some embodiments, MNO B network 230 may support only data access, without SMS capability. In some embodiments, profile B does not support SMS messaging.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a network topology for collecting location information after attaching a mobile device 101 having an eSIM 110 to the second network without SMS support (MNO B230) of fig. 2, according to at least one example embodiment. In this embodiment, profile B defines a special Access Point Name (APN), such as "m2m", with a profile B owner operator (e.g., MNO B). When a mobile device 101 having an eSIM 110 that uses profile B attaches to MNO B230, MME 334 queries local DNS 336 for a given APN (e.g., APN = "m2 m") assigned to a third party and indicating a third party network 360. The local DNS 336 resolves APNs using one or more P-GW 362IP addresses hosted by the third party network 360. In some embodiments, third party network 360 may be an interconnection network and/or a "Hub-Breakout" network as described in U.S. patent No. 9,788,188 entitled "Method and System for Hub Breakout Roaming," the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. However, the third party network 360 is not limited to any particular type of network.

The MNO B network 230 may be connected to a third party network 360 via a designated IP backbone connection 331. In some embodiments, the designated IP backbone connection 331 may be a secure private connection (e.g., a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection) that hosts a GTP tunnel between the S-GW 332 and the P-GW 362.

The P-GW 362 is provided to terminate the GTP tunnel for the mobile device 101, which mobile device 101 uses the designated APN assigned for this purpose. In some embodiments, the P-GW 362 is responsible for assigning IP addresses to access an external network 380 (e.g., the Internet). The third party network 360 may include a real-time policy control device 364, the real-time policy control device 364 being deployed between the S-GW 332 and the P-GW 362 of the MNO B. The policy control device 364 is configured to examine each GTP payload between the S-GW 332 and the P-GW 362 and extract location information for the target mobile device 101 having the eSIM 110 using profile B accessed directly from MNO B230 or roaming partner network 231 of MNO B230 as shown in fig. 4. The acquired location information is passed to the AS 150 to serve AS a notification of the location information of the mobile device 101 that would otherwise be lost if the AS 150 relied on SMS messages AS in the configuration of figure 1.

An exemplary Policy Control device is disclosed in application No. 15/260,897 entitled "Policy Control frame," filed 9/2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. For purposes of this disclosure, however, the policy control device need only have the capability to examine the data (i.e., each GTP payload or data packet) communicated between S-GW 332 and P-GW 362 and extract information for AS 150. Alternatively, embodiments of the P-GW 362 may examine the data and extract the information without a separate policy control device or data examination module.

According to some embodiments, eSIM 110 can change its profile to a default profile, e.g., profile a, when mobile device 101 disconnects from MNO B network 230. Alternatively, eSIM 110 can change to another profile associated with another mobile operator's network. When the eSIM 110 switches to profile a and attaches to the MNO a 120, the applet in the eSIM card 110 sends network location information associated with the mobile device 101 and other device-related information to the RSP 140 via an SMS message through the MNO a 120, where the SMS message can be delivered to the AS 150. This is shown as step 1-3 in the signaling flow diagram of fig. 1. Thus, the AS 150 is notified of: the mobile device 101 has disconnected from the MNO B230 and connected to an MNO a 120 that supports SMS messages.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a network topology for collecting location information through roaming visits after connecting a mobile device 101 having an eSIM 110 to a second network (MNO B230) without SMS support. The operation of this exemplary embodiment is similar to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3. However, in this example embodiment, a mobile device 101 having an eSIM 110 that uses profile B attaches to MNO B's roaming partner network 431.

In some embodiments, the MNO B's roaming partner network 431 may connect to the MNO B230 through an interconnection network 490 (e.g., an internet packet switch (IPX)). In some embodiments, profile B defines a special Access Point Name (APN), such as "m2m," with a profile B owner operator (e.g., MNO B). When a mobile device 101 having an eSIM 110 that uses profile B attaches to a roaming partner network 431 of MNO B, MME 434 queries local DNS 436 for a given APN (e.g., APN = "m2 m") assigned to a third party and indicating a third party network 360. A local DNS 436 on MNO B's roaming partner network 431 resolves APNs through DNS 336 on MNO B230 with one or more P-GW 362IP addresses hosted by third party network 360.

According to some embodiments, MNO B's roaming partner network 431 may connect to MNO B230 through any type of roaming connection known in the art. According to the example embodiment of fig. 4, the S-GW 432 of the MNO B' S roaming partner network 431 forms a GTP tunnel to the router 438 in the MNO B230. The router 438 may route the data connection to the P-GW 362 where the GTP tunnel is terminated. As stated with reference to fig. 3, MNO B network 230 may be connected to a third party network 360 via a designated IP backbone connection 331. The designated IP backbone connection 331 may be a secure private connection (e.g., a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection) that hosts a GTP tunnel between the router 230 and the P-GW 362.

Also, as stated with reference to fig. 3, the P-GW 362 is provided to terminate the GTP tunnel for the mobile device 101, which mobile device 101 uses the designated APN assigned for this purpose. In some embodiments, the P-GW 362 is responsible for assigning IP addresses to access an external network 380 (e.g., the Internet). The third party network 360 may include a real-time policy control device 364, the real-time policy control device 364 being deployed between the S-GW 332 and the P-GW 362 of the MNO B. The policy control device 364 is configured to examine each GTP payload between the S-GW 332 and the P-GW 362 and extract location information for the target mobile device 101 having the eSIM 110 using profile B accessed directly from MNO B230 or roaming partner network 231 of MNO B230 as shown in fig. 4. The acquired location information is passed to the AS 150 to be used AS a notification of the location information of the mobile device 101 that would otherwise be lost if the AS 150 relied on SMS messages AS in the configuration of figure 1.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating steps for extracting location information associated with a mobile device 101 having an eSIM 110, the mobile device 101 having the eSIM 110 attached to a second network (MNO B230) without SMS support, according to at least one example embodiment. In particular, when eSIM 110 uses profile B to access MNO B230 or a roaming partner network (e.g., MNO B roaming partner network 431), logical steps for configuration are shown. The first five steps (501-505) are standard procedures required for LTE networks.

According to the example embodiment in fig. 5, mobile device 101 with eSIM 110 switches to profile B and attaches to MNO B network 230 (501). MME 334 of MNO B230 queries local DNS 336 for a given APN (e.g., APN = "m2 m") assigned to the third party and indicating third party network 360 (502). Local DNS 336 responds to MME 334 query with a designated P-GW 362IP (503). In some embodiments, the P-GW 362 is located on a third party network 360. The MME 334 instructs the S-GW 332 to establish a GTP tunnel 331 with the P-GW 362 (504). In accordance with some embodiments, GTP tunnel 331 includes an inline policy control device 364, which inline policy control device 364 is capable of inspecting each data packet communicated between S-GW 332 and P-GW 362 (505).

According to some embodiments, policy control device 364 extracts the location information from GTP tunnel 331 across MNO B230 and third party P-GW 362 (506). The policy control device 364 communicates the extracted information to the AS 150 (507). The AS 150 receives the extracted information and updates the status of the eSIM 110 to the usage profile B and attaches to the MNO B230. This ensures that the service logic can be seamlessly executed with the required location information without worrying about whether the eSIM profile or MNO B230 supports SMS messaging.

Fig. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for disconnecting a mobile device having an eSIM from a mobile network without SMS channel support. According to the example method 600, a mobile device with an eSIM is disconnected 601 from an MNO without SMS channel support. The mobile device may disconnect for various reasons including, but not limited to, leaving the MNO geographic location, MNO forcing a disconnect, internal logical switching profile in the eSIM to connect the mobile device to a different or default network, or any other reason for disconnecting as is known in the art.

eSIM 110 can change its profile to default profile 602 before disconnecting from an MNO or after losing connectivity to an MNO. Alternatively, the eSIM may be changed to any other profile associated with the network of another mobile operator. In some embodiments, the eSIM switches to the default profile 602 and attaches to an MNO associated with the default profile (i.e., a default MNO) 603. The applet in the eSIM card can send network location information associated with the mobile device, AS well AS other device-related information, to the RSP via an SMS message via a default MNO (which has SMS channel support), which can be delivered to the AS 604. Thus, the AS is informed of: the mobile device has disconnected from the previous MNO without SMS channel support and has connected to a default MNO that supports SMS.

It should be appreciated that although the example embodiments described herein relate to configurations having policy control devices within third party networks, other embodiments may have policy control devices located elsewhere, including an MNO. As long as the policy control device is positioned to check the data as it is passed to an external network, such as the internet 380 (as shown in figures 3 and 4).

Additionally, it should be understood that although the example embodiments described herein relate to configurations with policy control devices, other embodiments may utilize a data checking module or the P-GW itself to check data and extract information. Although the policy control device may be configured with policy control features, those features are not necessary for all embodiments. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "data inspection module" includes a policy control device capable of inspecting data and extracting information therefrom. Further, the term "data inspection module" may include any device capable of inspecting data and extracting information therefrom, as described with reference to the above embodiments.

Further, it should be understood that while the example embodiments described herein refer to configurations in which an eSIM has two profiles, other embodiments may have configurations in which an eSIM has more than two profiles. The principles disclosed herein with respect to supporting switching profiles with SMS can be applied to configurations in which an eSIM has more than two profiles.

It should be appreciated that the example embodiments described above may be implemented in many different ways. In some cases, the various methods and machines described herein may each be implemented by a physical, virtual, or hybrid general purpose computer having a central processor, memory, disk or other mass storage device, one or more communication interfaces, one or more input/output (I/O) devices, and other peripheral devices. A general purpose computer is transformed into a machine that performs the methods described above, e.g., by loading software instructions into a data processor, which then causes the instructions to be executed to perform the functions described herein.

As is known in the art, such a computer may contain a system bus, where a bus is a collection of hardware lines used for data transfer between components of a computer or processing system. A bus or buses is basically one or more shared pipes connecting different elements of a computer system, such as a processor, disk storage, memory, input/output ports, network ports, etc., which enable the transfer of information between the elements. One or more central processor units are attached to the system bus and provide for the execution of computer instructions. Also typically attached to the system bus is an I/O device interface for connecting various input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, displays, printers, speakers, etc.) to the computer. The one or more network interfaces allow the computer to connect to various other devices attached to the network. The memory provides volatile storage for computer software instructions and data used to implement the embodiments. The disk or other mass storage device provides non-volatile storage for computer software instructions and data used to implement, for example, the various processes described herein.

Thus, embodiments may generally be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the processes, apparatuses, and processes described herein constitute a computer program product that includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium, e.g., a removable storage medium such as one or more DVD-ROMs, CD-ROMs, diskettes, tapes, etc., that provides at least a portion of the software instructions for the system. Such a computer program product may be installed by any suitable software installation process, as is well known in the art. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the software instructions may also be downloaded over a cable, communication and/or wireless connection.

Further, firmware, software, routines, or instructions may be described herein as performing certain actions and/or functions of a data processor. However, it should be appreciated that such descriptions contained herein are merely for convenience and that such actions in fact result from computing devices, processors, controllers, or other devices executing the firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc.

It will also be appreciated that the flow charts, block diagrams, and network diagrams may include more or fewer elements arranged or represented in different ways. It should also be understood that certain implementations may specify block diagrams and network diagrams and numbers of block diagrams and network diagrams that illustrate the performance of embodiments implemented in a particular manner.

Thus, other embodiments may also be implemented in a variety of computer architectures, physical, virtual, cloud computers, and/or some combination thereof, and thus the data processor described herein is for purposes of illustration only and not as a limitation of embodiments.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. In a system in which a device has an embedded subscriber identity module, eSIM, comprising a first profile and a second profile, the device switching from attaching to a first network using the first profile to attaching to a second network using the second profile, the second network being connected to an external network through a data tunnel, a method comprising:

extracting information communicated over the data tunnel at a data inspection module, the second network also connected to a third network over the data tunnel, the information associated with the eSIM and communicated over the data tunnel between the second network and the third network, the data inspection module positioned to inspect data as the data is communicated to the external network; and

sending at least a portion of the extracted information from the data inspection module to an application server as a notification to the application server that the eSIM has switched to the second profile, wherein the second network lacks SMS capability for delivering a Short Message Service (SMS) message as the notification.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data inspection module is located in the third network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the external network is the internet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data tunnel is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the extracted information comprises location information associated with the eSIM.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the location information comprises a mobile network code MNC/Mobile Country code MCC, an International Mobile subscriber identity IMSI or a cell identifier CellID.

7. A data inspection module comprising a processor and a memory, the memory having instructions stored therein that, when executed by the processor, cause the data inspection module to:

extracting information communicated over a data tunnel, the information associated with an embedded subscriber identity module, eSIM, the eSIM having a first profile for attaching to a first network and a second profile for attaching to a second network, the second network connected to a third network over the data tunnel, the information communicated over the data tunnel between the second network and the third network, the second network also connected to an external network via the data tunnel and the third network, the data inspection module positioned to inspect data as it is communicated to the external network; and

sending at least a portion of the extracted information to an application server for notifying the application server that the eSIM has switched to the second profile, wherein the second network lacks SMS capabilities for delivering a short message service, SMS, message as the notification.

8. The data inspection module of claim 7, wherein the data inspection module is located in the third network.

9. The data inspection module of claim 7, wherein the data tunnel is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel.

10. The data inspection module of claim 7, wherein the extracted information comprises location information associated with the eSIM.

11. The data checking module according to claim 10, wherein the location information comprises a mobile network code MNC/mobile country code MCC, an international mobile subscriber identity IMSI or a cell identifier CellID.

12. The data inspection module of claim 7, wherein the external network is the internet.

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